The easiest way to give them away would be leave them in your room upon checking out of your hotel.

The maid-being gainfully employed-doesn't need them (although she/her workmates will certainly go over the booty) she almost certainly knows someone who does or can donate them to her Church or Community Center to be distributed.

It´s true. Sam´s right. The clothes could very well get into the hands of the needy in this way.

But I am guessing that you are hoping for some feeling of contribution in the end, there is no gratification in Sam´s technique.

Also, there is no guarantee, with that technique, that the maid won´t just bundle them up and sell them to a used clothing store, which in turn will mark them up and sell them to the people you were trying to help.

Costa Rica has churches and charities like any place. Go to a town, and leave them there.

thanks very much for the advice. i dont really mind about the feeling of gratification, in Mumbai i left a few t shirts next to people sleeping on the pavements on our last night, but on other occasions through the trip gave them to people whilst they were awake lol because they actually asked if we had anything, but didnt take anywhere near as much as i could have...

but i think giving them to a local church will be my option because like yousay, it is guaranteed to go to somebody who needs them.